Spring 2007
Localization as a driver for citizen journalism
Research from academia's only hands-on Citizen Journalism teaching laboratory
Hans Meyer
Doctoral student
Missouri School of Journalism
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
The MyMissourianDream Team
The Cyberbrains is an informal group of Missouri School of Journalism researchers with a special interest in citizen journalism and related media issues. We are the core managers of the MyMissourian project.
•As a group, we have authored a book chapter, two conference papers and numerous presentations.
•The research opportunities have also resulted in four theses, one thesis in progress, two dissertation proposals and many individual conference papers or presentations.
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
Hans Meyer• Ph.D. student• MA from Missouri• General manager of The Desert
Dispatch, Barstow, CA• Creator and Managing Editor of
two weekly newspapers, The Hesperia Star and The Virgin Valley Spectrum
For information on this and related research, e-mail Ibold at [email protected]
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
The audience is …
MyMissourian Northwest Voice
18-24 17.4 % 16.2 %
25-34 17.0 % 18.9 %
35-44 22.3 % 29.7 %
College Education 62 % 61 %
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
They read the local newspaper
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
On the other hand …
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
And yet another hand …
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
What they want is local news
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
And they’re not finding it in print
CJ, MyMo and MU Spring 2007
Citizen journalists need a guide
• Registration tripled at MyMissourian after the launch of a print edition.
• More than 30 % said it was important for them to see their contribution in print.
Nearly half of MyMissourian users found the site through a personal contact or the local media.